hey guys need some alignment ideas. i have a 96 V6 auto with Eibach prokit springs, SLP V8 takeoff shocks, SLP subframe connectors, BMR adjustable panhard bar, and SLP 17x9 ZR1 style SS rims(painted). i just ordered new tires, Yokohoma(SP?) AVS ES 100 275/40s, and they will be in tommorow or Friday. my current set of Bridgestone potenzas RE730(275/40) are about dead (belts are showing on the fronts). my problem is that my tires wear on the inside edge way to fast, this also happened on my BFG comp t/a's (245/50 16") on my old rims. i know this is due to me lowering the car. is there anyway to correct this with an alignment. if not then what are some good tie rod ends to get? also i know my ball joints are okay, as they were checked last week. anyy help would be great since i am putting these new tires on ASAP. Thanks!!!! sorry about the long post

 

When you lower the car you are supposed to get an alignment, otherwise handling and tire wear both suffer. The toe is most out of whack when the car gets 'dropped.'

 

i did have a initial alignment when the car was lowered. but i have had the same problem with the inside of the tire wearing down on 2 different sets of tires.

 

Well, if you dont AutoX or do other sporting events alot, and are running alot of negative camber, that could account for it. What are your current settings, and how often do you hit a track?

 

well i don't know the specs, but my alignment is out because of i hit a big pothole a few weeks ago. i don't race the car i am just looking for some help in order to get my tires to last longer, and not wear on the inside as bad. i would love to start racing but don't know where to get involved. i live about 40 miles outside of new orleans, also i really don't have the time to travel either. thanks

 

Stick with -1º camber or 'factory' -0.5º, zero toe, and as much caster as you like, they can max it out if you wish or just go with 4º which I believe is possible at stock ride height. What kind of tire pressure do you run front/rear? Too soft can make a difference in that regard as well.

 

Isn't factory camber = +0.5, not -0.5. Mine is at -0.5 and my alignment guy warned me I was out of factory specs.

 

Postive camber? That would sure suck, but it has been awhile since I've seen factory specs. If you go to a Sears or regular place like that, they will get it within an acceptable amount of factory spec, -.5º is "nothing", I run -1.5º and wish I tried for more. I have no wear problems on the street, but I hardly drive the car either.

 

thanks guys. i run the tire pressure pretty full. on my bridgestones the max is 44psi i run them at like 38-39 psi.

 

yea, believe it or not when I got my car aligned at a local shop, the factory params were 0 to 0.9 POSITIVE camber, with +0.4 being NOMINAL.

They managed to get -0.5 on both sides. +4.5 caster on both sides. 0 toe.

When I originally asked for as much neg camber they could get up to a degree, they all gave me wierd looks.. Then I said I did some autox'ing and they all went "oooh".. The shop owner stopped by a little later, glanced at the specs on the computer readout and went, "you do some autocross in this Camaro?"

I remember osmeone saying, I think it was Sam?, that on the stock suspension you can eeek out a couple tenths more of neg camber by using a prybar to the arms to take advantage of some bushing slop or something.


oh, when i brought it in, with 2 years of street driving, I had 0, 4.9, 0 and +.4, 4.7, 0 (camber caster toe) This is with stock suspension.

 

I usually run about 37-38 myself also, so its not like your tires are underfilled. Wonder if anyone else will have some ideas for you, because with what you say I can't really see a reason for wear. How long are the tires lasting you in miles?

 

Have you tried taking the car to a different shop? Maybe some place that specializes in suspension work?

One other thought: there was a thread in LT1 tech about a guy complaining he was shreading the outside of his tires--turned out to be a broken weld on the K-member.

 

well my current tires have last 2 years and a month. this is pretty good i guess, but looking at them if the inside would not have worn down as quickly then there is probably a few months left for these tires. i want them to last cause after all these tires aren't cheap even with my wholesale price at the tirerack. i will look for that broken weld, but i doubt i will be able to find one, but who knows. thanks alot guys.

 

Most of the people who I know that had tire wear problems like this had worn out ball joints or tie rod ends. With a 96 I'd say you might be due for some replacements parts. How many miles do you have?